Klay Thompson leaves Dallas; Miami expected to sign him

Klay Thompson is no longer a player for the Dallas Mavericks. The Texas franchise announced on Friday, August 21, 2026 that it had reached a buyout agreement with the 36-year-old shooting guard, who leaves the team with immediate effect. The former Golden State Warriors star has been released from the final year of his contract, valued at $17.5 million, to become a free agent again.

This decision opens the way to a new chapter for the former Golden State sniper. According to ESPN, Klay Thompson is expected to quickly sign with the Miami Heat. Shams Charania, an ESPN reporter, revealed the news on X. This would be the 3rd franchise of his career, after his time at Golden State (2011-2024) and his two seasons in Dallas (2024-2026).

BREAKING: Klay Thompson is expected to sign with the Miami Heat after he clears waivers upon a contract buyout with the Dallas Mavericks, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/jV40iKTyEz

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 21, 2026

A quiet stint in Dallas, a new challenge in Miami

Klay Thompson’s record with the Mavericks jersey remains modest compared to his career. In two seasons, he averaged 12.9 points across 141 games, with the Mavericks finishing 10th and then 12th in the Western Conference. During the 2025-2026 season, his stats declined further: 11.7 points on average in 69 games, shooting 39.3% from the field and 38.3% from 3-point range, for only 21 minutes and 42 seconds of average playing time.

In an official statement, Masai Ujiri, the Mavericks’ president of basketball operations, praised the player’s time with the team: “Klay is one of the greatest players and competitors of his generation, and we are grateful for everything he has given us. We have immense respect for Klay and everything he has accomplished throughout his career, and we wish him the best for the future.”

The Heat had been eyeing Klay Thompson for several weeks. The arrival of the four-time NBA champion (2015, 2017, 2018, 2022) would allow Miami to strengthen its roster around Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo, with an eye on chasing a title.

A 3-point legend who’s still valuable

While his production has dropped since his time at Golden State, Klay Thompson remains one of the greatest 3-point shooters in NBA history. He has passed Damian Lillard to become the 4th all-time leading 3-point scorer, with 2,899 made 3-pointers. He trails only his former teammate Stephen Curry (4,248), James Harden (3,390) and Ray Allen (2,973), and remains ahead of Damian Lillard (2,804).

A five-time All-Star, Klay Thompson maintains a career 3-point shooting percentage of 41%, and shot 38% last season in Dallas. While he no longer has the offensive impact of his years at Golden State, his ability to shoot from long range and his playoff experience could prove valuable for a Heat team looking for experienced reinforcements.